Nigerian Soldiers On Reprisal Mission Set Benue Community Ablaze

Some Nigerian soldiers, who were said to be on a reprisal mission, on Thursday stormed a community in Benue State and set houses ablaze, Premium Times reports.

They stormed Naka, the seat of Gwer West Local Government Area, at about 11:00 a.m. and began burning houses to the apprehension of residents, Francis Ayagah, chairman of the local government told the newspaper on telephone.

The ‘soldiers’ are said to be on a reprisal attack over the killing of one of their colleagues near the community on Wednesday.

The number of casualties is yet unclear as at the time of filing this report.

Ayagah said, A soldier was killed by hoodlums yesterday, but I met with the brigade commander around 4:30 a.m. today,” Mr Ayagah said of the possible motive of the arsonists. “He gave me a list of suspects and we arrested five of them overnight. It was while we trying to take them to the brigade that soldiers stormed the town and started burning houses.

“A whole part of the town has been completely burnt down and we’re appealing for help and understanding from the soldiers.”

According to him the soldiers spent over two hours burning down properties in Naka, about 45 kilometres from Makurdi, the state capital.

Nigerian Army spokesperson, Texas Chukwu, and Defence spokesperson, John Agim, however told told PREMIUM TIMES that no report had been received over the incident.

Indigenes of the affected the community have shared a picture of the arson on social media.